The aroma is very malty and hoppy with pine citrus and caramel. The appearance is amber with a nice head. The flavor is like the aroma. The palate is average. Overall a tasty beer however you can really feel the alcohol in this one. Maybe that's your thing. (257 characters)

Dark amber to light orange appearance. Clean looking off-white head that settles quickly to a full-covering skim. More malts than hops on the nose - biscuit and cracker-like aromas that are very nice. A slight citrus note pokes through from the hops. Starts out sweet upon entry and then turns bitter with a good hit of piney, somewhat weedy hops. Though present, the sweetness isn't really bothersome. Medium bodied with prickly carbonation. Pretty good drinkability and a good beer but not really a must have DIPA for me, especially after downing two HopSlams last night, which blows Ale To The Chief away. (651 characters)

I guess I'm a little late to the game on this one. Oh well.The requests on the label seem sincere, if not incompatible/unrealistic (how's that hopey changey thing working out), but what's that got to do with what's inside? Nothing. So let's give it a go. Poured into an imperial pint Sierra Nevada glass. I should also note that this is the first on a several DIPA journey. Wonder where this might take me?Nice expressive sound as the carbonation escapes from its imprisonment. Full rich tannish head caps a very clear gold-reddish amber of the attractive kind. Cap becomes rocky as it settles.I suppose, in part due to age, the balance on the nose is more balanced as the toasty malt character nearly overcomes the hop aroma of mild spiciness and a slightly intense resin, characteristic of so many in this style. I think age may have hurt this part a bit.In my mind the unique quality of this drink continues to be the toastiness of the malt. It's quite apparent and unusual (as compared to the others in this style of which I've imbibed). A mild sweetness starts the drink, with an occassional touch of caramel (yum). A growing intensity of hop flavor (resiny again) and bitterness appears about mid drink and finishes after the liquid as passed, but the malt flavors are never really vanquished and help prevent a complete hop bomb. I'm not fond of oppressive hops.Moderate body aids in reasonably quick drinking. Nicely carbonated as I'm not distracted and it lightens the feel.The lightness helps the drinkability. However, I'm not inclined to indulge beyond this bottle. I'm not sure the blending worked quite right on this. It's an unique and interesting malt profile for style, but I guess in the end it's not something I'd consider trying to emulate or to excitedly seek out. But I"m pleased for the opportunity and I like the notion of creating a special beer for the hope that comes with the significant transitions in our life. (1,946 characters)

A limited release from Boulder Colorado's Avery Brewing in celebration of the inauguration of our latest president. The TTB disallows the use of a president's name, but the clever label makes it very clear that Avery is not a stronghold of the John Birch Society and I would bet the break room TV is not tuned to Fox News.

I am immediately greeted by a big hop aroma with plenty of sugary malt coming through. Fresh bread, a little red apple, papaya, and a significant but not distracting alcohol aroma round things out. The tropical and resinous hops play well with the apparent and restrained esters.

A big 3" off-white fluffy head forms off the pour. It quickly dies down to a few thin patches with minimal lace, not surprising with the high alcohol content. The beer is a nice light copper color with some haze that appears to be more from hops than protein.

Hits the tongue with bread, dry biscuit, brown sugar, oranges and papaya. Resinous hops smeared all over with some raw hop cone astringence. Fairly well balanced with an increasingly coarse bitterness building against the sugary malts. Finish is long with lingering hop and warming alcohol.

Full bodied with moderate carbonation. A little heavy on the palate. This isn't a small beer by any means, and the alcohol is never hot or boozy, but it drinks like a stronger beer. The bitterness becomes harsher through the glass and begins to really impact the enjoyability. Some similarities to their Hog Heaven barleywine, but with more emphasis on the bitter instead of the malt. I'll stick to the Hog Heaven in the future. (1,587 characters)

22oz bottle received as an extra in a trade with bryanbrick. Thanks Bryan! Poured into a Portsmouth goblet.

A - Bottle was a gusher...but once I finished cleaning up the counter and the floor...Pours a cloudy, yeasty copper orange color with a thick, whipped cream like head that settles to a high rimmed collar around the glass with islands of bubbles on the surface.

S - Rich and malty aromas, lots of caramel, some bread, sugar sweetness, a bit of dish detergent (definitely not from the glass either), and a little bit of grapefruit on the nose.

T - Malt centered but with a nice bitterness to it. Not sharply bitter, but round and full. A bit of grapefruit and a touch of pine. Sweet sugar and toffee flavors, some bready, yeasty flavors. Alcohol has a presence in the flavor too, but not at all hot.

M - Pretty full bodied and malty. Carbonation is on the high side and pretty creamy in feel - just a little bit of tingle around the mouth. Lingering malt sweetness in the mouth and quite chewy too.

D - This is a good DIPA, but not a great one. To be fair, I think this is probably a bit past its prime, but not really old either. Malt is a bigger focus than I prefer, but there is still enough hops to enjoy it. Alcohol is on the high side at 8.75%, and it's presence is made known too. Good beer - I think one is enough for me though. (1,347 characters)

With today being the third and final Presidential Debate between Obama and McCain - what's a more perfect beer to try?

"This is Shane ... oh, I mean beachbum1975 and I approve this beer review!"

On a related note, God, I can't wait for this election year to be over!!!

A: Gold foiled cap with large red "A" ob the brown bomber. Pours a clear solid amber with an off-white, creamy foam head that has decent retention. Minimal lacing on the walls of my tulip.

S: Smells mostly of pineapple hops, followed by some pine and trails with sweet malts.

T/M: Taste is much like the nose, only richer. Lots of pineapple and resinous pine hops throughout. There was a strange bitterness in the middle, almost burnt? It almost reminds me of a salty, burnt potato chip! Sorry, that's what I got. Now, I know that's weird, but it's not bad overall - just more bitter than I was expecting. As is to be expected for an 8.75 abv beer, alcohol becomes more prevalent as it warms. This beer is semi-thick and "chewy" at times and has a quick finish with a lingering bitterness.

Had this on a whim at Abraxas....poured into a fairly large, straight-sided glass. Orange-y body, soapy looking head that really looked like it wanted to stick on the glass, but didn't....I'm pretty sure that was the fault of the glass, possibly some detergent residue, as I never get any lacing at Abraxas. I'll give the beer the benefit of the doubt.

Appetizing citric hop aroma.

So, I was bracing myself for a grapefruit hop explosion, but what I got was more of a hit from what seemed like flowery noble hops. Not complaining - it was tasty, but I was surprised. This did not taste like your normal American DIPA. Staunch malt backbone. I don't think I'd call this a DIPA, but whatever it is, I liked it.

T: A bitter, hoppy taste with a smooth, grapefruit aftertaste that did very well to balance the beer. Definitely a nice beer overall and very good.

M: A little watery, but still fairly smooth. Fairly formidable on the palate.

D: A nice combo of mouthfeel and taste makes this beer a good drinking one. A slight alcoholic burn with some warming, but nothing overwhelming. Probably more of a fall season beer, but very good to drink. (703 characters)

Appearance is all but the stereotype of an ideal (D)IPA, marked in my notes as a 'hazy golden sunset.' The aroma is highly complex and fantastic: peach, grapefruity west coast hops, a forest after the rain, butterscotch candy, and just a little booze. The flavor starts with a citrus onslaught, tart and sweet, followed by a long honey sweetness and toasty, buttery malts. Finishes with a big, biting resiny pine and again just the smallest bit of booze.

Mouthfeel is not as sticky as I would expect but is adequate, drinkability is ok but I'm sure I couldn't finish more than one.

An excellent DIPA with plenty of hops but also plenty of malt to back it up, a good beer to spend a night sipping on, and certainly an inspiring premise on which to brew a beer regardless of your politics. Here's a campaign promise: if I ever, against all odds, end up in a position of any power and responsibility whatsoever, all my official events will disavow fine wine in favor of fine beers, just like this one. THAT is change you can believe in. (1,105 characters)

Not nearly the hop bomb that the nose had me prepared for. Still a good hop presence, just not as dominant as expected.Main component of taste seems to be big, butterey, yeasty bread. It has faint traces of caramel on it. It's been dipped in pine sap and some sort of tropical/citrus juice. The whole thing is covered in fresh, green, grass.

Feels thin, crisp and sharp. I like beers to be more full and lush. Lightly sticky.

An Avery very hoppy beer. C-hop aroma. Initially, very grapefruit and then as the taste buds numb, there is less hop intensity felt, its more like a pale ale. Average mouthfeel. Less than average grapefruit colour with some white head.Appropriate carbonation. Decent DIPA. (272 characters)

Smell is malt and citrus mostly pineapple and mint. Pine and grapefruit are present in lesser amounts and a little lemon, but this really smells like a pineapple cream pie.

Taste starts out malty melon flavor with a little but of woody and oak aftertaste. Quite mildly flavored the melon lasts all they way to the bottom of the glass. Considered giving this a "4" for the mildness, but this just isn't complex enough for a score that high.

Good Mouthfeel.

Not a bad beer at all but not a great one either. Mild and a good choice for introducing someone to the style. But this lacks complexity, not top of the class like a Pliny much less a second tier near great beer like Green Flash Imperial IPA. Wouldn't refuse a free one but I would choose a Green Flash after having tried this for $3 less a bottle. (916 characters)

I know this beer is past its prime, but I found this lonely looking bottle on the shelf this past weekend. Since it's a one time brew, I figured I shouldn't pass it up and I crated it.

Appearance: Pours a cloudy copper color with a finger of head. Although it's too cloudy to see how effervescent it is, you can hear a quiet stream of bubbles grasping for air. I can tell from the smell of sweet sticky malt that lacing will be covering this snifter. Yep, sheets of lacing are scattered across the glass.

Smell: A nice blend of earthy notes with a strong sweet malt backbone. There's also a slight hint of citrus, including some grapefruit and orange peel. The alcohol just every so slightly shines through, with a little harshness climbing into my nose.

Taste: After a few splashes cross the palate, I think I'm ready. First, very sweet caramel malt. They seem to be lending themselves well to the amount of alcohol and hops in this. The sweet malt unravels into earthy notes including pine resin and grass. With the beer leaving my mouth I'm left with a slight bitterness and citrus aftertaste including orange peel and grapefruit rind.

Mouthfeel: A medium bodied beer, slightly on the more full of medium side. The carbonation was a little high when I first cracked open the bottle, but now that it's been sitting for an hour it's just right.

Drinkability: Another well put together beer by Avery. I wouldn't mind seeing the sweet malt cut back just a tad, and a few more cascade hops thrown in, but still a great beer. The ABV makes it a tough one to have on a weeknight, but I'm doing it anyways.

I wish I would have had this in my hand after the election last November after I lit up the cigar to celebrate. (1,856 characters)

T: This definitely has a massive amount of toffee and caramel malts. Solid peach, pineapple, and hop pressings. The first sip threw me off a little but still has both a sweetness and citrus hops taste. After a few more sips the balance evens out with a sugary pine and a bitter finish. Butterscotch soaked in red grapefruit juice. Spices help to numb the taste buds like rye bread topped with oranges and mangoes.

M: Solid medium and syrupy body. Slight carbonation with a heavy amount of booze goodness that clings to the mouth.

D: This was an interesting treat and a little different from most other DIPA's. Well worth the try. I'm pretty much apolitical or anti-political but I don't like or trust anyone so don't listen to me. However, I dig the Constitution and can can still appreciate the name and the idea behind the beer. In the end it was probably just a little too sweet for my tastes. Indian's "The Unquiet Sky" and Iron Maiden were and (should be) played loud. (1,422 characters)

Pours a clear golden/amber with a giant tan foam head.The head is gigantic and lasts forever. The smell is pungent with a citrus hop scent with bread yeast. A decent aroma,but not as strong as I hoped. The taste has a mixture of bitter and citrus tasting hops along with bread yeast,and alcohol. A nice mixture,but the taste is harsh and it tastes like it has more alcohol than it does. The m/f is medium and like I mentioned , it is abit harsh. Not a bad beer, if you can find it buy it. (488 characters)

A: 22 oz. bomber stored at 55 degrees since it's purchase last fall, and poured into an Imperial Pint glass on Inauguration Day 01/20/2009 as per the brewery's intentions (I think). Color is a copper orange and hazy with a 1+ finger head of rocky, dense off-white foam. Head shows nice retention and leaves some fine lacing with a bit of stick on the glass. Not much carbonation noticeable in the drink.

S: Bready sweet malts are the most prevalent in the nose. The hops are there and their floral/herbal presence is inviting, but not overpowering. They definitely take a backseat to the malt.

T/M: Doughy and yeasty up front. Slightly astringent. There's a nice hop bitterness in the finish that lingers on the back of the tongue for awhile. The bitterness is the only truly detectable hop characteristic, but it balances out nicely with the bready malt sweetness. I wish the hop character was a little more aggressive, but I'm not totally disappointed. Feel is medium-bodied with a mouth-tingling carbonation.

D/O: I followed Avery's orders and waited until today to enjoy this beer, but I wish the experience was a little more hop-forward. To me the beer was more about the malt than the hops, which isn't an APA in my book, but I may have missed this beer's sweet spot by letting it sit for so long. I wish I had tried one completely fresh to see if there was a difference. Regardless, the result was an extremely enjoyable, eminently drinkable beer (though on a less-than-full stomach I was feeling the effects by the time I finished), just not one that lived up to my expectations. I pray the Presidency it celebrates lives up to our country's expectations of it. (1,672 characters)

Appearance: A light orange brown with good amount of white head and lacing.

Smell: It's all the hops. Piny and citrus. Also could smell malt sweetness and cranberries.

Taste: This one is bitter. But after drinking it for a while you begin to notice more of the sweet malts than the piny hops. Tastes very bready. Unfortunately I also could taste a lot of the alcohol.

Mouthfeel: Creamy and medium bodied. Tastes a little bit flat but the with decent alcohol warming.

Drinkability: I only had half the bottle and the alcohol hit me pretty hard. I personally prefer less malts in my DIPAs because I feel like it makes them taste less clean and crisp. Overall a solid brew however. (682 characters)

bought this a while ago in anticipation of the current occupant's exit from the white house and replacement by obama. both the beer and the events of last night were worth the wait. copper in color with a creamy white head and lacing. top half of the bomber is clear with some fine sediment clouding the remaining half. aromas of caramel, pine, and vague fruit (grapefruit? apricots?) led to a nicely balanced taste of sweet malts and a prominent but smooth hop bitterness. mouthfeel is big but not too thick or viscous, making this quite drinkable for it's abv. lightly carbonated with a finish somewhere between lingering and crisp/drying despite the big malts. (663 characters)

Ale to the Chief pours a amber-apricot color, two-finger head on initial pour,highly carbonated, yet settles quickly.Smells of grapefruits, cantelopes, citric piney hops, and malty sweetness, a bitter-sweet caramel hoppiness in the nose profile.tastes of briny hoppy citric fruits, lavender, salty-sweet toffee,cloves, piney grapefruits.A light pilsner-amber mouthfeel is presented,much like the Majaharaja IPA, only a little more full-bodied. Instead of just quick "hops" fix as in the case of Majaraja, a fuller, more complex taste is presented this bier. This is a full bodied, yet lightly enjoyable brew. Well done Avery yet again.